Kick-Out!! Network

Sunday, October 3, 2010

WWE Hell in a Cell 2010 Review

Okay, so I lied earlier today, I managed to get home in time for Hell in a Cell, and I'm really glad I did.

Daniel Bryan vs. John Morrison vs. The Miz in a submissions count anywhere match for the United States Championship is the Opener of the Year, hands down. The first match on a card is important, it sets the tone for the evening and can make or break the crowd reaction for the remainder of the show; these three guys did not fail to deliver. While the submission part was a bit unnecessary - some near falls would've been nice - it was really fun to see Miz and Morrison add some new moves to their repertoire, but this was really a match to showcase and solidify Daniel Bryan as a legit Superstar. I love the crowd reaction to Bryan, they're never quite sold on him when he first comes out, but then they see what he can do in the ring and they're on fire for the guy. Fantastic match that really did wonders for each guy: Bryan got the aforementioned showcase, Miz got to get more aggressive, and Morrison got to do more of his Parkour, culminating with a dive off the HIAC set. Beautiful match that did everything it needed to do and a hell of a way to start the night.Predictions: 1 for 1

Randy Orton vs. Sheamus inside Hell in a Cell with the WWE Title on the line was placed rather early in the card, which kinda got my hopes up for Sheamus regaining the gold, but sadly that was not to be. Also, my cable went out for about seven minutes during this match, which really sucked because the beginning and end of this match was awesome. Crowd was red hot the whole way through and judging from what I saw/heard, it was the best match these guys have had together. One thing though, the "Super Cena" complaints have to die with this match, because Orton apparently has an adamantium skeleton, surviving stair shots, steel chair shots, two Brogue Kicks, etc. I also could've done without a ten minute Orton celebration, but when he's as good as he was tonight, I guess I can let it slide.Predictions: 2 for 2

Alberto Del Rio made his way to ringside, probably because WWE realized they only scheduled five matches for this PPV. Edge interrupted to continue his anti-Stupidity campaign, but Jack Swagger had a bone to pick with the Rated-R Superstar after being humiliated on Smackdown Friday night. The G?M sent Cole an e-mail and set up Jack Swagger vs. Edge.

Jack Swagger vs. Edge was actually a pretty good match, but the crowd was dead for it, which kept it from being a truly engaging contest. Edge picked up the win, which is good since he finally has something to do, but Jack Swagger could use the help too.

Wade Barrett vs. John Cena is going to be the most talked about match of the evening because of its result, but let's not let it overshadow what was an amazing match. Barrett is the real deal, he hung with one of the best storytellers in the business today and even kicked out of the Attitude Adjustment, how's that for an endorsement? Nexus got ran off by the WWE roster, but just as it looked like good would prevail a "fan" ran into the ring, allowing another "fan" to crack Cena with a pipe, giving Barrett the win and putting Cena in Nexus! The "fans" appeared to be Michael McGillicutty and Husky Harris from NXT Season 2, and I've been calling for Harris to join Nexus for weeks now, so I hope that is indeed what has happened. A huge match that should have quite the ripple effect on the WWE landscape, but both guys deserve loads of credit for telling a great story here. Cannot wait to see what happens on Raw tomorrow night!Predictions: 3 for 3

Natalya vs. Michelle McCool for the Divas Championship featured women actually wrestling, that might actually be more shocking than John Cena joining Nexus. I don't know why I didn't think of McCool getting herself DQed to retain the title, but I'm glad to see this feud continue. I think if they're given enough time, McCool and Natalya could have a great match.Predictions: 3 for 4

Main Event time! The Undertaker vs. Kane inside Hell in a Cell with the World Heavyweight Championship on the line! I went into this PPV assuming this was the end of the Taker/Kane saga, but turns out, it's only just begun. After a brutal back and forth that featured Kane bleeding from the head, Paul Bearer turned on The Undertaker, blinding him with the light from the urn and allowing his son to retain the World Title. Ah, I've waited a long time to type something that ridiculous. Honestly, the match was a bit anticlimactic, but as our good friend over at Wrestlespective pointed out, Survivor Series marks Taker's 20th year in WWE, so that would make the perfect venue to end their storied rivalry. I don't know how you top Hell in a Cell though... Casket Match? Inferno Match? Buried Alive? Predictions: 3 for 5

Hell in a Cell was the worst PPV of 2009, but WWE bounced back big time and delivered one of the best shows of 2010 tonight. While the ending felt a bit wonky, I enjoyed all the matches on the card and everything made sense. Add the shocker of the year with John Cena joining Nexus, and you've got yourself one hell of a PPV. I still don't like the concept of forcing Hell in a Cell just because it's the first week of October, and I'd be a lot happier if WWE had scheduled the shows a little better, not putting this one on just two weeks after Night of Champions, but I'm glad I went against my cynicism and ordered this one. Hell in a Cell 2010 was well worth the price of admission.

1 comment:

I agree with Barrett being legit. I liked him since NXT (which isn't long). But he can wrestle, he can talk, and he has the look. And him beating Cena and having a clean pin over him at NOC really makes up for the Summerslam loss that everyone freaked out about. Future champ for sure.

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